Sudden cardiac arrest is not just a concern for adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it takes the lives of approximately 2,000 children every year. On May 29, 2012, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted Act 59 called the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. This Act contains three requirements:

(1) Parents of student athletes in the public school system must read and sign an acknowledgement form prior to their student participating in sports. To download this form, click here.

(2) Coaches must complete an annual training course on sudden cardiac arrest. The following training is approved:

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart unexpectedly ceases to function. Often, this is because of ventricular fibrillation, irregular and rapid quivering of the heart's lower pumping chambers (ventricles). When this occurs, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, causing loss of consciousness or seizure-like activity in seconds.

If not treated within minutes, SCA results in death. The normal rhythm of the heart can only be restored with defibrillation, an electrical shock that is safely delivered to the chest by an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is frequently the outcome of an underlying heart condition. It can also occur secondary to other conditions such as impact to the chest, heat stroke, asthma, drowning, electrocution, allergic reaction or medication.

Simon's Fund: An organization dedicated to saving children's lives by raising awareness of conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.

Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation: A Foundation dedicated to saving the lives and supporting the families of children and young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities.